20-06-09

Mining – India 1
1. ‘Yeddyurappa has succumbed to mining lobby pressure’ 1
2. NALCO reduces storage of explosives at its bauxite mines in Koraput 3
3. Tata Steel ups rates by Rs 500-750 per tonne 4
4. No coal mining in forests, wildlife park, sancturies: Jaiswal 5
5. Forest Rights Act may come in handy to stop mining in green areas 6
6. Ramesh's no-mining plans in forests may face legal hurdles 7
7. Coal ministry backs pvt role in mining 7
8. Orissa granted chrome ore mining leases to 15 firms 9
9. New mining policy to be placed in LS 10
Mining – International 10
10. Mining license procedures `proper' 10
11. United States Uranium Mining Industry Analysis and Forecasts to 2015 11
12. China's iron ore mines face massive shakeout 13
13. Number of workers trapped in SW China coal mine flood raised to 16 14
14. Largest gold mine is set to begin operations 15
15. Anti-mining groups threaten legal action over Ladysmith pollution 15
Other News – India 16
16. WB govt has no data of tribal population 16
17. Tribal schemes to be implemented strictly 16
18. No convictions in India despite child labour ban 18
19. World Bank loan for power plants 18
20. Global programme aimed at saving tigers to link India 19

Mining – India

‘Yeddyurappa has succumbed to mining lobby pressure’
Karnataka Bureau
Cabinet vetoes Law Department’s advice?


G. Janardhana Reddy and V.S. Ugrappa


BANGALORE/BELLARY: In a first indication of buckling under pressure from the powerful mining lobby, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government headed by B.S. Yeddyurappa has reportedly decided to withdraw several criminal cases filed against the supporters of Reddy brothers in different instances.
A decision in this regard is learnt to have been taken at the Thursday’s meeting of the State Cabinet despite the Law Department’s advice against such a move.
The cases which will be withdrawn include those filed against the supporters of Reddy brothers as well as J. Janardhana Reddy himself for allegedly demolishing an ancient temple of Sugulamma with explosives on September 3, 2006.
The temple priest Manjyu Nayak had filed a complaint before the Bellary Rural police in September 2006 accusing Mr. Janardhan Reddy and K. Ramachandra Reddy of demolishing the temple by using explosives for undertaking mining operations.
The other cases include those filed with respect to violation of poll code of conduct during the Assembly elections in 2008 and Lok Sabha elections in 2009.
Withdrawing these cases is said to be one of the demands placed by the Reddy brothers before Mr. Yeddyurappa.
The Opposition Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) have taken serious exception to the reported decision to withdraw cases against Reddy brothers and said they would take up the issue in the coming legislature session.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R.V. Deshpande demanded that the State Cabinet cancel its decision and allow the law to take its course.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council V.S. Ugrappa alleged that Mr. Yeddyurappa had succumbed to pressure tactics of his party leaders from Bellary district by agreeing to withdraw the cases against them. This was a part of the measure to appease dissidents in the party, he said.
Mr. Ugarappa said that unless the prosecutor gave a report that the cases were irrelevant and filed for extraneous considerations, they could not be withdrawn. The withdrawal of the cases was not done only to protect the interest of a few individuals as well as those of Mr. Yeddyurappa, he said.
Mr. Ugrappa feared that withdrawal of cases would be detrimental to the interests of the State as a large chunk of the State’s forest land in Bellary district had been allegedly encroached by the mine owners operating from Andhra Pradesh to undertake illegal mining activity. This had already resulted in huge losses for the State in terms of revenue.
Janata Dal (S) spokesperson Y.S.V. Datta termed the Cabinet’s decision as a clear indication of the capitulation of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to the “blackmail” tactics of the Reddy brothers from Bellary.
Instead of withdrawing the cases booked against farmers and students, who had participated in pro-people agitations, the BJP Government has withdrawn the criminal cases against the powerful Ministers, he said..
Farmers, who had been booked during the agitation against improper supply of fertilisers last year, continued to visit courts while the Ministers and their supporters were allowed to go scot-free.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/20/stories/2009062050500100.htm


NALCO reduces storage of explosives at its bauxite mines in Koraput
Special Correspondent
Security in the mines and refinery complex at Damanjodi strengthened
BHUBANESWAR: As part of its strategy to strengthen security measures in the aftermath of naxal attack in April this year, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has decided to drastically reduce storage of explosives at the magazine house of its bauxite mines located in Koraput district.
As per the latest measure, the stock of explosive material such as booster-explosives, which was around 21.75 tonnes one month before the naxal attack, has now been reduced to 2.25 tonnes, while the stock of column explosives has been brought down from 10.12 tonnes to 1.15 tonnes and that of ammonia nitrate from 3.95 tonnes to only 0.70 tonnes.
The stock-holding has been reduced to one tenth overall, the company said in a press release on Friday.
This has been achieved by the company by deciding to keep only 4 to 5 days’ need in stock of these explosive materials at the magazine house of the bauxite mines.
Besides, the company has also taken a number of other steps to strengthen security arrangements in the mines and refinery complex at Damanjodi.
The strength of Central Industrial Security Force has been increased from 417 to 682 personnel.
More bullet proof jackets with helmets have been arranged for security personnel.
As many as 10 CISF personnel were killed when armed Maoists attacked the company’s mines at Damanjodi and looted explosives on April 12.
Fortification of the vulnerable ‘magazine’ area has been completed with concertina fencing, provision of power fencing and strengthening watch towers and providing more high tower morchas for the safety of the ‘magazine’ area.
The company said it was also exploring the possibilities of ‘blast free’ mining methods, where there is no use of explosives.
With these measures, the company was hoping to significantly reduce the naxal threat and carry out its mining operations in a secure environment.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/20/stories/2009062051980300.htm


Tata Steel ups rates by Rs 500-750 per tonne

BS Reporter / Kolkata June 20, 2009, 0:02 IST

Tata Steel has raised prices of hot rolled (HR) and cold rolled (CR) coils, used by the automobiles and consumer durables sectors, by Rs 500-750 a tonne. This is the first increase in HR in the last eight months.

A company spokesman said the increase was on monthly contracts and was effective from the June contract. The increase was being implemented in select regions of the country.
The earlier increase announced by Tata Steel was for CR and galvanized steel. Other steelmakers are adopting a wait-and-watch approach before deciding on increasing rates.
An Essar Steel spokesman said: “No decision has been taken. We are reviewing the situation.”
Anil Sureka, director (finance), Ispat Industries, also echoed similar views. “We are not doing anything this month. Next month, we will take a call,” he said.
Even Jayant Acharya, director (sales & marketing), JSW Steel, said: “We will review prices for the month of July.”
An industry source pointed out that most steel makers are waiting for the government to protect them. “We will wait for the hike in import duty,” the source said.
The industry is expecting a hike in import duty to 15 per cent. A proposal for imposition of safeguard duty, in the wake of cheap imports, is also pending.
Steel prices had fallen by almost 60 per cent from their peak levels in July 2008. Global HR coil prices, which were ruling at $1,100 in July last year, were down to $380 a tonne till last month.
However, prices have started recovering and the world’s largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, has increased prices in the last 10 days to $450 a tonne in the US.
The price hikes were stemming from the production cut announced across the globe. While most of the producers in India have normalised production, their global peers were still operating at less than 50 per cent capacity.
Industry sources said global steel producers were testing waters with a steep price hike, led by ArcelorMittal. If the market absorbed the price increase, then production could gradually normalise in the international market.
The domestic market was less affected than the international market. Domestic prices were higher than international prices before the recovery. But domestic steel producers were expected to increase prices significantly from next month, on the back of a global recovery as well as increased spending on infrastructure from the government, expected to be announced in the budget.
Domestic HR coil prices are at $496 a tonne at present.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/tata-steel-ups-rates-by-rs-500-750-per-tonne/361607/


No coal mining in forests, wildlife park, sancturies: Jaiswal
19 Jun 2009, 2108 hrs IST, PTI

NAGPUR: Union minister of state for coal, Shriprakash Jaiswal asserted that his ministry will not allow coal mining in 40% of 'no go area' in the

Explaining his point, Jaiswal told reporters at Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) headquarters here that thick forests, wildlife park and wildlife sanctuaries will cover those 40% 'no go area.'

Listing priorities of Coal Ministry after assuming power, Jaiswal said coal sector will be strengthened as per the vision of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The PM wants to strengthen the power sector which was depending on 60 to 65 per cent on coal and hence all efforts are made to strengthen coal sector.

As part of strengthening, the Coal Ministry will now focus on acquiring allotted land with the help of Chief Ministers of the states concerned. "We will hold discussions with chief ministers and farmers whose land is acquired for coal mining," he said.

Even if the land is acquired, but not in physical possession of coal company, there is no use and hence now concentrated efforts will be made to possess the land physically for coal mining, the minister said. Similarly there is need for enhancing coal production and coal ministry will make all out efforts in this direction.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health--Science/Earth/Pollution/No-coal-mining-in-forests-wildlife-park-sancturies-Jaiswal-/articleshow/4677602.cms


Forest Rights Act may come in handy to stop mining in green areas
20 Jun 2009, 0322 hrs IST, Nitin Sethi, TNN

NEW DELHI: The wildlife lobby and many environmentalists disliked it but now the Forest Rights Act could become a tool for them to prevent mining in
important forest areas.

With the environment and coal ministries deciding to fast-track environment clearance in degraded forest lands, the government has admitted it will have to look into the provisions of Forest Rights Act before it can allow mining.

Forest Rights Act, opposed by the environment ministry and the wildlife lobby alike when it was being put in place, has a clause that disallows removing forest-dwellers till their rights have been recognised under the Act.

Another section of the Act requires project proponents or the government to seek permission of gram sabhas involved if the forest land has been claimed as "community forests".

While the environment ministry has made it clear that mining would be kept out of dense and moderately dense forests, most of the rights, it is predicted, lie in degraded forest lands though claims have made for lands in some tiger reserves as well.

While the government on Thursday expressed its intention to reduce the time taken at the state level for clearances under the Forest Conservation Act, the new legislation is being seen as a separate issue to deal with.

On Thursday, the environment minister admitted as much, saying in a press conference that the provisions of Forest Rights Act would have to be followed though he demurred from answering if clearances would be given in the coming months even as the rights process under the Act continues across the country. The government has committed to finish handing over rights under the Act by 2009-end. He also suggested that if the coal ministry thought so, it could go to Parliament for an amendment to the Act.

In UPA's earlier tenure, a section of Congress had warned that clearances were being given in violation of its own much-touted pro-tribal populist legislation.

In what is being seen as a move to shake off the onus, the environment ministry has already given clearances with the caveat that forest clearance is "subject to" compliance with the Forest Rights Act, for which the tribal affairs ministry is the nodal agency.

With FRA being a fresh piece of legislation, questions about how and when the process of distributing rights in a forest area is concluded and who is empowered to declare so remains untested.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Forest-Rights-Act-may-come-in-handy-to-stop-mining-in-green-areas/articleshow/4677574.cms


Ramesh's no-mining plans in forests may face legal hurdles

20 Jun 2009, 0740 hrs IST, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: Minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh’s plans for an environmentally responsive coal mining regime may run into
some legal hurdles. Mr Ramesh proposed that for the purpose of mining, forest areas would be classified as “go” and “no go” areas. The “go” areas comprise the degraded forest area while the “no go” would include forest areas of medium and high density. “No proposals will be entertained in the no-go areas. Coal India Limited will not submit any proposals for the no-go areas,” the minister said.

This is a part of the six-point agenda prepared by the environment and coal ministries to expedite the forest and environment clearances for mining projects while keeping environmental interests in mind.

The ministry will need to amend the Forest Conservation Act and the Environment Protection Act if it is to enforce this plan. The existing legislations do not classify forest areas as “go” and “no go”. At an all-India level, 55-60% of forest areas are classified as degraded.

In the absence of legislative backing, the plans to restrict mining to areas of degraded forests could well be challenged. The environment minister said this restriction would apply to all new proposals. Plans for ongoing mining activity in medium and high density forest areas (or “no go” zones) were not disclosed. Mr Ramesh said that while giving clearances in the degraded forest land, the provisions of the legislation would be adhered to. “We will not flout the provisions of the law.”

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Rameshs-no-mining-plans-in-forests-may-face-legal-hurdles/articleshow/4679050.cms


Coal ministry backs pvt role in mining
20 Jun 2009, 0103 hrs IST, Sanjay Dutta, TNN

NEW DELHI: The black diamond industry is in for a big-ticket reform, with the government gearing up to usher in an open-bidding regime and set up a
regulator in six months or so to open up coal mining to private players without the restriction of captive use. The move is aimed at garnering an additional investment of Rs 118,000 crore for ramping up production to 1,061 million tonnes a year by 2025.

"The ministry is almost ready with the Bill to set up a regulator and is working on resurrecting a pending Bill to amend pertinent laws needed to open coal mining to private players. I expect to move Parliament on both in the next (winter) session and if the Bills do not go to the standing committee, I am hopeful of getting results in six months or so,'' coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told TOI.

Jaiswal's favourite model is a regime where the government evaluates the quantity of coal in a mine, sets a minimum price for it and then offers it to the highest bidder. "This is a transparent method. It will free the government from burdens such as monitoring production and sale that leaves scope for corruption. Otherwise, an operator will sell 100 trucks and show only 50. We may also look at a staggered payment plan etc.'' Jaiswal, however, said that several other models were also being tossed around.

An estimated Rs 95,000 crore investment in opencast mining and Rs 23,000 crore in underground mining will be required to attain the 2025 production target. At present private role in coal mining is restricted to captive consumption. "It is not possible for the public sector alone to meet the demand-supply gap... There is a strong case for opening the sector...in order to meet the challenge,'' Jaiswal said.

Coal accounts for 55-60% of India's energy basket. It is vital as rising population, expanding economy and a quest for improved quality of life is expected to push energy usage to around 450 kgoe (kg oil equivalent) a year by 2010. Commercial primary energy consumption in India has grown by about 700% in the last four decades. The country's current annual per capita consumption of commercial primary energy is about 350 kgoe, well below developed economies.

On October 5, 2007, TOI had first reported a reforms roadmap that said mining companies should also be allowed to dig for coal to increase private participation. It laid down steps to bring in competition -- both in handing out of mines and pricing -- besides a regulatory framework to check companies from profiteering through cartels or monopoly.

The roadmap said a competitve bidding system will keep out non-serious players and ensure optimal allocation of coal blocks. It says pricing of various grades of coal should be based on their calorific value (heat-producing capacity) and more sales through e-auction be encouraged to derive a market price.

The roadmap recommended pushing a pending legislation for making changes in the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act of 1973 that will help garner such huge investments through full-scale private investment. The Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Amendment Act, 2000, has been stuck over lack of consensus among policy makers over key issues, including allowing private players.

India ranks third among coal-producing countries in the world, with 400-plus million tonnes of annual output. It is estimated to have reserves of around 246 billion tonnes, 92 billion tonnes of which are proven. Coal meets 65% of the country's requirement of primary energy and the government allows private mining for only captive use at present.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India-Business/Coal-ministry-backs-pvt-role-in-mining/articleshow/4677635.cms


Orissa granted chrome ore mining leases to 15 firms
Saturday, 20 Jun 2009
BS reported that though Orissa has 183 million tonnes of chrome ore, constituting 98% of the total chrome deposits in the country, only 3.27% of this, which comes to about 6 million tonne, has been fully explored till date.

To expedite the exploration and exploitation of chrome reserves in the state, the government has granted mining leases to 15 companies including Ferro Alloys Corporation and Balasore Alloys. Of the total chrome reserves in Orissa, Sukinda area in Jajpur district has the lion’s share of 173 million tonnes, including low grade chrome.

The places in Sukinda where the chrome deposits are found are
1. Kamarda - 2 million tonnes
2. Saruabili - 9 million tonnes
3. Sukrangi - 7.5 million tonnes
4. Kaliapani - 25 million tonnes
5. Bhimatanger - 98 million tonnes
6. Kalarangi - 0.5 million tonne
7. Chingudipal and Tailangi - 13 million tonnes

Mr Raghunath Mohanty steel and mines minister said that out of the total deposits found in Sukinda area, 18 million tonne are of inferior quality. He added that Kamakshyanagar in Dhenkanal district has about 4.42 million tonne reserve of chromite in locations like Sandhasar, Tulasiposhi, Haladigunda and Kathapal. The estimated reserves at Kathapal are 2 million tonne.

Mr Mohanty said that the total chromite reserve of the state is estimated at 183 million tonne, out of which 177.42 million tonne occur in Sukinda and Kamakshyanagar area.

Stating that the state government is taking effective steps for checking illegal mining, transportation and trading of chrome ore, he said that the government has formulated Orissa Minerals Rules 2007. Action is being taken against the persons, vehicles involved in this trade. Besides, state level and district level squads have been constituted to prevent smuggling and illegal trade of minerals.
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/06/20/OTkxNTE%3D/Orissa_granted_chrome_ore_mining_leases_to_15_firms.html

New mining policy to be placed in LS
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Agencies
GUWAHATI, June 18 (Agencies): Union minister for mines BK Handique said here on Wednesday that the new national mining policy will be placed in Parliament by the winter session. Handique added: "Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 has been amended several times. We thought there was a need to come up with a new policy." The minister told ET: We will give impetus to mining in the North East where there is a lot of untapped potential."
He said Jiajuri, which is between Nagoan and Karbi Anglong districts, has good silica reserves. The minister further said: "We were ready for starting exploration. However, some NGOs pointed out that place is near the elephant corridor. We will shift the exploration site a few kilometres away so that the corridor is protected."

http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/26539.html

Mining – International

Mining license procedures `proper'
Syofiardi Bachyul Jb , The Jakarta Post , Padang | Sat, 06/20/2009 12:11 PM | The Archipelago
All 13 coal mining firms operating in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, complied with procedures in obtaining their licenses, authorities say, as a recent mine explosion raises questions about safety.
The explosion took place at the PT Dasrat Sarana Arang Sejati mine, killing scores of miners.
Sawahlunto Mining Agency head Syafriwal said Friday the municipal administration had issued mining permits to 13 coal mining firms for open and underground mining, based on the mining law.
"Of 13 firms we granted permits to, only Dasrat is in trouble because its mining site *where the explosion occurred* is situated in a disputed border area," he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
"The 12 other firms are in order and have always complied with the rules."
The land dispute has been ongoing since 1990, when part of Sawahlunto, including the coal mines in Bual hill, split from the city to form Sijunjung regency, Syafriwal said.
The hill, situated in Sijunjung regency, belongs to Tanjung Ampalu residents, he added.
"People have mined coal illegally at that site. And we've asked them *to comply with the rules* ever since the area was part of Sawahlunto, but they ignored us," he said.
"The site was still being disputed by the Sijunjung regency administration until the West Sumatra administration mediated in the affair."
Local residents laying claim to the area, he said, had since taken advantage of the dispute, ignoring the Sawahlunto administration's rules and even chasing off mining agency officials who came to measure methane levels at the site.
The high level of methane gas at the site was believed to have been responsible for Tuesday's underground explosion that killed at least 31 miners and buried alive 12 others, who are presumed dead.
In 2007, another explosion occurred at the same site, killing three miners, according to Syafriwal.
Police promptly arrested the mine manager, Agustar, while the Sawahlunto Mining Agency recommended the mine's closure.
In December 2008, the Sawahlunto administration handed over the site's management to Dasrat, owned by Meldi, in a mining concession, Syafriwal said.
But that company, he went on, was unable to retain parts of its concession that fell into the hands of local residents.
"We found out recently that Dasrat had signed a written agreement with CV Perdana, owned by Agustar, to act as a subcontractor the mine," he said.
"The agreement stipulated that Perdana carry out the mining and sell the coal to Dasrat, as well as take all the risks inherent in the mining activity."
Syafriwal said the Sawahlunto administration had asked 10 of the city's 13 mining companies to halt operations after the explosion.
Three of the companies - PT Bukit Asam, PT Allied Indo Coal Jaya (AICJ) and PT Usaha Alam Industri - had halted their underground mining activities months ago and currently only carry out only open-pit mining, while preparing machines and tools for further underground mining in the future, he said.
The administration, he went on, would approve future mining operations of any firms that had met safety standards, and would shut down those failing to do so.
Meanwhile, one of nine injured miners being treated at M. Jamil General Hospital in Padang, died Thursday night, bringing the official death toll to 32 people.
The last victim of Tuesday's mine explosion was identified as 19-year-old Nofiardi.
Two of the miners are being treated in the hospital's intensive care unit for severe burn injuries.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/06/20/mining-license-procedures-proper039.html

United States Uranium Mining Industry Analysis and Forecasts to 2015

Refer to a friend
2009-06-19 20:14:22 - With production of 1,509 tU in 2008, the US contributed 3% of the world’s total production

The United States is one of the largest uranium producing countries in the world with production of approximately 1,509 tU in 2008. Production is set to increase in the future due to the operation of new uranium mining projects which include the Lapalangana uranium mining project and the Rosita mine.

More than 30 uranium mines are under exploration and some of
these mines will obtain mining licenses in the near future to start uranium production. Use of the in-situ recovery method is one of the key developments in the country’s uranium mining industry.

GlobalData's new report 'United States Uranium Mining Industry Analysis and Forecasts to 2015' provides detailed analysis and forecasts of the uranium mining sector in the United States.

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http://www.pr-inside.com/united-states-uranium-mining-industry-analysis-r1334342.htm

China's iron ore mines face massive shakeout
Michelle Wiese Bockmann - Friday 19 June 2009

CHINA’s iron ore mines face a massive shakeout, with a “severe fall” in domestic production set to boost shipments from Brazil and Australia, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

The agency’s annual report on the 2008 iron ore industry forecasts what it called a “great Chinese shakeout” resulting in widespread mine closures and even greater reliance on imported iron ore — a key driver of demand for the bulk carrier freight market.

“It is probable that between one third and one half of Chinese iron ore capacity will close over the next three years, with 40%, or 130-150m tonnes, being the most likely reduction figure,” the report said.

This would “catapult” the world’s top three iron ore miners to record levels of control of the global trade in seaborne iron ore.

Chinese substitution of imported iron ore over its own more expensive and poorer quality product, has emerged as the sole driver of rocketing freight rates in the last two months.

Capesize spot rates on the major trading route from Brazil to China have tripled since mid-April to exceed nearly $117,000 per day because of substitution.

Forecasts that this trend is set to accelerate is of major significance for the global capesize fleet, which now relies almost wholly on Chinese demand to set the market rate.

Brazil’s Vale and Australia’s BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto control 69% of iron ore shipments, which rose 7% to a record 845m tonnes in 2008.

The shakeout was forecast in “the next few years”, Unctad said.

China is currently the world’s largest iron ore producer, at 366m tonnes, or just over 20% of the world’s total production of 1.7bn tonnes.

But Unctad says that small and medium-sized Chinese producers will be “forced to substantially reduce their output, particularly since they are no longer protected by high freight costs for imported iron ore”.

Last month, Rio Tinto said half of domestic mines were already closed.

Unctad says lower freight rates and high costs have meant half of China’s 8,000 mines were operating at a loss, and reliant on government assistance.

Contract prices for iron ore were likely to remain at same level as spot prices of $70 per tonne for landed iron ore in China in the medium term.

“A consequence of this price shift is shakeout of Chinese iron ore mining,” the Unctad report said.

“The effect of the price fall will be reinforced, as far as Chinese mines are concerned by rising costs for health and safety measures, environmental management and rising energy prices.”

Chinese iron ore has average grade of about 27.5%, much lower than imported iron ore at about 60%.

The industry is highly fragmented, with only 49 mines classified as “major” and producing 188.3m tonnes, while “medium and small mines” produce 636m tonnes.

http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/chinas-iron-ore-mines-face-massive-shakeout/20017666055.htm


Number of workers trapped in SW China coal mine flood raised to 16

www.chinaview.cn 2009-06-19 21:01:08

QINGLONG, Guizhou, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of workers known to have been trapped by a coal mine flood earlier this week was raised to 16 Friday, after it emerged that one miner failed to sign the attendance book before entering the shaft, a senior work safety official said.

Wang Heshou, vice director with the State Coal Mining Safety Supervision Administration, also told reporters at the site of the accident in Guizhou Province that the flood occurred at 8 a.m. Wednesday, instead of 3:30 p.m. as earlier reported by the county government.

Wang Lin, head of Qinglong County, where the accident took place, claimed Friday evening that his office got the time from the county's public security bureau, which had questioned witnesses.

Wang Heshou pledged that the cause of the time difference would be strictly investigated.

Rescuers were still trying to find the miners, despite difficulties in pumping water out of the substandard mine. They have maintained power and ventilation supply through the shaft in hopes that the trapped workers could survive until they were rescued.

Ma Lian, an engineer with the provincial work safety department, said the mine was under renovation to expand production from 30,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes. However, the owner had not made sufficient investment to guarantee safety.

"The mine sap is narrow, and the mining facilities are outdated, which also caused difficulties for rescuers to bring machinery into the mine to aid the rescue," he said.

The mine owner was blamed for failing to report the accident in time, which meant that the optimal time for rescue had passed.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/19/content_11569540.htm


Largest gold mine is set to begin operations

News ServicesJune 20, 2009

What will be one of Canada's biggest gold mines, in the northwestern Quebec town of Malartic, is getting ready to start production as soon as it gets the legal green light, but the mining project is facing staunch opposition in the province.

Osisko Mining is sitting on 6.3 million ounces of inferred gold reserves at the Canadian Malartic deposit. A low-grade open-pit mine will be built in this town 550 kilometres northwest of Montreal in Quebec's Abitibi region. The company has already started to work on the site and is set to invest close to $1 billion Cdn to extract the gold over a 10- to 12-year period. Osisko expects to cash in more than $1 billion in net profits.

The mine will be the largest ever dug in the province and one of the biggest gold mines in the country, rivalling the Red Lake project in Ontario.

http://www.canada.com/Largest+gold+mine+begin+operations/1716016/story.html

Anti-mining groups threaten legal action over Ladysmith pollution
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 11:13am
Chuck Quirmbach, Wisconsin Public Radio
LADYSMITH (WPR) Anti-mining groups say they're getting ready to sue the state of Wisconsin and a mining company over pollution near a former mine at Ladysmith.
The Flambeau copper and gold mine was open for four years during the 1990s, and stopped mining operations in 1997. The company says the process of reclaiming the land is complete. But some longtime foes of the mine say it continues to pollute nearby groundwater with manganese, and the Flambeau River with high amounts of copper.
Attorney Glen Stoddard represents the Wisconsin Resources Protection Council. He has filed a notice that his group will sue the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Flambeau Mining within 30 days. That's if the state doesn't properly regulate the reclamation process and impose sanctions on the company that include more water monitoring, cleanup and fines.
But Flambeau Mining reclamation manager Jana Murphy said the claims appear to be without merit, and that the mine is not breaking the law.
The Wisconsin DNR says it is reviewing the new documents that criticize the Flambeau mine, and DNR officials said they’re not in a position to comment.
http://fox21online.com/news/anti-mining-groups-threaten-legal-action-over-ladysmith-pollution

Other News – India

WB govt has no data of tribal population

Kolkata , June 19 The West Bengal government today said the state do not have any data of tribal population.

Replying to a query by Congress leader Manas Bhuinya in the Assembly, minister for backward classes welfare Jogesh Burman admitted that he did not have the figures.

However, altogether 1,02,196 adivasis have applied to the state government for land under the Scheduled Tribes and and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers ( Right to Forests) Act 2006. Out of them, 5,249 have been given&apospatta&apos(land deeds), Burman said.

Later in the day, Bhuinya told reporters,"It is shameful that even after 32 years of rule, the government does not have information about the number of adivasis living in the state.

Bhuinya said the situation at Lalgarh has turned volatile because of the years of neglect of the tribals by the government.

http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/603225/National/1/20/1

Tribal schemes to be implemented strictly
Category » Bhopal Posted On Friday, June 19, 2009
By Our Staff Reporter
Bhopal, June 19:

Union Tribal Works Minister Kantilal Bhuria today said the Centre has a helping attitude towards development of Madhya Pradesh and it is wrong to say politics is coming in the way.

Bhuria, while talking to reporters at the state Congress office here, said all political leaders representing Madhya Pradesh in central politics were aware about the welfare of the state.
Hence, no question of discrimination arose. State Congress President Suresh Pachouri was present during the press conference.

Replying to a question, he said problems in implementation of schemes related to tribal welfare in the state needs to be removed. He had discussion in this regard with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Bhuria said complaints had been received over procedures related to providing ownership rights to forest dwellers staying on forest land before 2005. He said the state government has been asked to complete the work in accordance with the national target set for 2009.
Bhuria said complaints regarding the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme had been received from Jhabua and Ratlam districts. These complaints should be redressed so that tribals are not deprived of their rights. The Union Minister said his department had sanctioned Rs 25 crore for schemes related to welfare of special backward tribes of Baiga, Bharia and Saharia in Madhya Pradesh.

Bhuria said Rs 129 crore had been allocated for 13 Eklavaya model residential schools in the state. He said the Centre was committed to take the benefit of development schemes to tribal communities. Special arrangements were being made to link this section with education and employment.

Law and order situation worrying: Bhuria

Union Tribal Works minister Kantilal Bhuria today said law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh is worrying and steps needs to be taken to improve it. Bhuria, while talking to reporters at the state party headquarters here, said law and order situation was a matter of concern for everyone.
The comment comes in the wake of recent incidents of loot, dacoity and gangrape in the state.

Regarding naxal problems in a few tribal-dominated districts, he said the matter was subject of the state government. The Centre was ready to provide all possible assistance to deal with the problem.

http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=10111

No convictions in India despite child labour ban
Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:36pm IST



By Nita Bhalla
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is failing to enforce a ban on child labour, with not a single conviction almost three years after the law came into effect, leading child rights activists said on Friday.
More than 12 million children below the age of 14 are working as domestic servants or other jobs such as in stone quarries, embroidery units, mining, carpet-weaving, tea stalls, restaurants and hotels, according to government data.
A law prohibiting employing children in homes and in the hospitality industry came into effect in October 2006. There have only been 1,680 prosecutions and not a single conviction.
"Since the law came into effect, the government has only found 6,782 child workers in jobs like domestic service and roadside restaurants," said Kailash Satyarthi of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement).
Children working in lower-end restaurants and highway food stalls are a common sight in many parts of India, and many urban middle-class households hire young boys and girls from poor families as servants.
The law -- where violators face a jail term of up to two years and a maximum fine of 20,000 rupees ($420) is an extension of a previous 1986 ban prohibiting children from working jobs deemed too "hazardous" for minors such as in factories and mines.
Child rights campaigners say like the previous ban, the 2006 law has never been properly implemented or enforced.
"There are serious discrepancies at every stage in process of dealing with child labour issues in India," said Satyarthi.
http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-40448220090619

World Bank loan for power plants
Special Correspondent
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The project will help reduce carbon emission
Plants will become more energy-efficient
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NEW DELHI: The World Bank has sanctioned a loan of $225.5 million to India in the shape of assistance for renovation and modernisation of four coal-fired units with a combined capacity of 640 MW. The global environment facility-assisted (GEF) coal-fired generation rehabilitation project will help rehabilitate and modernise around 200-220 MW of capacity at each of the three coal-fired power plants at Bandel in West Bengal, Koradi in Maharashtra and Panipat in Haryana.
According to an official statement issued here on Friday, the assistance comprises an IBRD loan of $180 million and a GEF grant of $45.4 million. The pilot project’s success would help India and various State utilities scale up the rehabilitation of a significant portion of the 27,000 MW capacity so far identified for renovation and modernisation.
The statement said that the project would help reduce India’s emissions by almost half a million tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year. The new approach, being piloted under the Bank-supported project, will help make the renovated plants more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable. It means the plants will use less fuel (coal) and emit fewer greenhouse gases for every unit of electricity they produce. The project alone will help India reduce its direct greenhouse emissions by almost half a million tons of CO2 equivalent each year.
In addition to helping reduce carbon emissions from the power plants, the project will support efforts to control particulate emissions and improve water treatment and ash disposal at these plants, leading to better environment conditions for people living in the vicinity.
A parallel focus on better operations and maintenance practices in these plants will help sustain the improvements made through the renovation and modernisation effort. This combined emphasis will allow India to adopt a lower-carbon path to energy generation by modernising its coal-fired plants and enabling the country to add cheaper and cleaner electricity to its grid, the statement said.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/20/stories/2009062056781500.htm


Global programme aimed at saving tigers to link India
Washington (IANS): In a bid to save wild tigers from extinction, the Smithsonian Institution and the World Bank Group plan to link relevant institutions in India, China, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand and other tiger range countries with global conservation science and professional training centres.
The National Zoo's Conservation and Research Centre located in the Shenandoah Mountains in Front Royal, Virginia, will serve as one of the initial launch-pads for development of the proposed conservation and development network.
The net network is being set up under an agreement signed here on Friday between the Smithsonian and the World Bank. It will train hundreds of rangers, foresters and other habitat managers in the latest cutting-edge practices in biodiversity management, with a specific focus on preserving and increasing wild tiger populations
The World Bank will dedicate more than $1 million over the next year toward these training efforts, and the Smithsonian and World Bank will work to expand the alliance to include other members and raise additional financing for implementation. The Year-of-the-Tiger Summit is scheduled to be held in the second half of 2010.
World Bank Group president Robert B. Zoellick said: "Working together, we can unite hundreds of conservation practitioners and dozens of institutions across the tiger range countries of Asia to arrest the terrible loss of tiger populations and bring these magnificent species back from the brink."
As poaching, habitat loss and other issues have reduced the global tiger population in the wild to less than 3,500 and the losses continue, the new programme under the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) will help stabilise and restore wild tiger populations and save this endangered species from extinction in its natural habitats.
The training is aimed to lead to more effective measures against illegal trade and trafficking of tiger parts, and intensify surveillance, detection and conviction of poachers.
In addition to promoting stricter implementation of conservation laws and laws against illegal trade and traffic, the network will also allow countries to more efficiently share information about poaching activity, leading to more robust efforts to combat the problem.
The agreement comes one year after the launch of the GTI, a collaborative effort between the World Bank, the Smithsonian Institution, Global Environment Facility, the International Tiger Coalition, and other members to assist the 13 tiger range countries with their efforts in restoring wild tigers and preserving their habitats.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200906201181.htm